Welcome TV fans! This is the new home for Tube Talk, the place for TV show reviews, celebrity interviews, news & scoop. E-mail Tube Talk Girl at jenbiller@frontier.com or reach her by mail at RR 3 Box 155, Bridgeport, WV 26330.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Can you imagine sharing a drink with Smallville’sLex Luthor? (We’ve all had that daydream at some point, haven’t we?) Or how about getting your photo taken with Neptune’s favorite bad boys: luscious Logan, evil Weevil and Sheriff Lamb?

No, I haven’t been hitting the juice. It’s true, tubers. If you have a wad of cash to blow and a free weekend Aug. 18-20, then this may be the event for you. Booster Events is sponsoring a Blowout, where fans can meet some of the cast of Veronica Mars, Smallville, Angel and Buffy.

Some of the actors will be participating in question-and-answer sessions, autograph sessions, special receptions and photo ops. Oh, and did I mention the alien fashion show and karaoke? If that doesn’t sway you, then nothing will.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Kudos to the reporters at the Television Critics press tour who pressed the ABC execs on the cancellation of the year’s best drama. E!Online’s Kristin Veitch published the transcript from the ABC session with ABC President Steve McPherson. Here’s the excerpt about Invasion:

WHY THE CANCELLATION OF INVASION:"What happened with it, it was up to the TV gods. Shaun continued to improve that show there were some brilliant performances in it. But we just couldn't get people to watch it. It was really down to the wire and it was a difficult decision." ON WHETHER HE'S CONCERNED THE CANCELLATION OF INVASION WILL DETER PEOPLE FROM INVESTING IN SERIALIZED ABC SHOWS:"Well, we certainly hope not. It's the difficult thing about serials a lot of times you have these mysteries and it would be great to close up all those mysteries when a show isn't working. In the case of Invasion we wanted to stick with it, we thought it was really good and held on until the end. But I hope people will make a commitment to the next serialized."ON WHAT ABOUT BRIAN:"That's a show that we believe in, content-wise. It did not come out of the box strong but those who followed it believed in it and it had a following among its fanbase online so we wanted to give it another shot. "

ON WHY BRIAN GOT RENEWED EVEN THOUGH INVASION HAD MORE VIEWERS?"Invasion had the timeslot after Lost so those numbers were a little misleading. Brian came in a tough timeslot and did fairly well, and had a dedicated fanbase, so we felt strongly about it.

OK. Deep breath. What About Brianhas a “dedicated” online fanbase? Hello? Invasion fans hired a freaking plane to pimp their show and created a petition to save it. Has he seen it?

Unbelievable. I’m stupefied by this ridiculous explanation. If he had said that Invasion was just too costly to make for the return they were getting on their investment, I’d buy that. But to say that the reason they kept What About Brian was because they believed in its content, and that its fanbase was strong, makes every Invasion fan on the planet want to scream.

As promised, it’s time for the weekly mention of my celebrity crush Dean Cain. He’ll be on TV Land tonight in the show My First Time.

Minds out of the gutters, Tubers. He’ll be talking about his “first time” as an action hero, along with John Schneider aka Bo Duke of The Dukes of Hazzard. The show is scheduled for 10 p.m. EST.

On a side note, did any of you catch Cain at the All-Star game in Pittsburgh at PNC Park, the home of my beloved Pirates? He opened with a lovely triple, according to the local paper. I guess he didn’t have to reach too much in Clubhouse, when he had to play a pro baseball player. Apparently, he really does have a super swing!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

I know you’ve been counting the days to find out if Smallville’sChloe survived that angry mob and if Nathan, on One Tree Hill, will spend eternity swimming with the fishes. On Monday, The CW released the premiere dates for its shows.

Set your TiVos, Tubers:

One Tree Hill: September 27Smallville: September 28Veronica Mars: October 3Everybody Hates Chris October 17th Heaven: September 25Supernatural: September 28Gilmore Girls: September 26Top Model: September 20

The Television Critics summer press tour is underway and as always, TV Guide’s hilarious Michael Ausiello is blogging in his Press Tour Diary. The press tour gives the TV press the chance to question the network honchos/stars about the upcoming season and what is in store for viewers. (Or in some cases, to question them about their previous asinine decisions.) Note to Mike: Please fire off this question for me to the ABC execs: Who made the decision to kill Invasion and keep What About Brian, and where can I send their sanity meds?

Other TV journalists are giving us plenty of entertaining scoop from press tour, too:The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette’sRob Owengave a fantastic blow-by-blow of the Veronica Mars session. (Weevil working at a car wash? Say it ain’t so.)

Monday, July 17, 2006

Bones casts former star of The PracticeThis season, we’ll finally get to meet that fool-of-a-woman who refused to marry Booth (David Boreanaz) on Bones. Jessica Capshaw, formerly of The Practice, has been cast as the mother of Booth’s child, according to TV Guide. What, you were thinking it was Lara Flynn Boyle? Yeah. Me, too. I can so picture Flynn Boyle squaring off against Boreanaz, especially after her she-devil performance on Las Vegas that ended with her flying, literally, off the roof. I digress. Capshaw landed the role of Booth’s baby mama, and I couldn’t be more pleased that the show is delving more into the characters’ private lives. (I love character-based drama!) I’m praying somebody asks her why she’d kick Booth to the curb. Despite his poor fashion sense with those horrid skinny ties he wears, the man is good stock. What was she thinking?

Debbie Matenopoulos returns to The ViewYou thought I was joking a couple weeks ago in the “Star Jones Reynolds fired post" when I said that “somewhere Debbie Matenopoulos is doing cartwheels.” Well, yes, I was joking, but as fate would have it, the plucky blonde is headed home to The View. She’s slated to drop by the chat fest on July 25. In related news, the ratings for the first week of The View, sans Star, skyrocketed to numbers not seen since 2004 and broke the top five in the coveted demographic for women ages 18-49. The show saw a 5 percent bump in total viewers from the previous week. Somewhere, Star Jones Reynolds is…oh, nevermind.

Psych’s a hit!Thank you, thank you, thank you for watching Psych! You have my eternal gratitude. It’s not often I actually love a show, pimp it to you and wal-lah, it turns into a hit. (R.I.P. Invasion, Jack & Bobby and Eyes.) But it seems Psych did well enough in its debut for the USA network to tout it as “the year’s No.1 new original series.” Well done, Tubers! The debut episode racked up more than 6 million viewers. The follow-up episode with Gus obsessing about the spelling bee was classic, too. And Dulé Hill looks yummy in pink. Who knew? And I love it when shows give us the bloopers at the end. Bravo!

Charlie’s Angels TV reunion?Could Jill, Kelly and Sabrina be reunited soon on the small screen? The Tabloid Whore is reporting that Henry Winkler, better known as The Fonz, is trying to put together a Charlie’s Angels 30-year-reunion television special for the former Angels. Winkler previously helped put together the reunion shows for Happy Days, Dallas, Knots Landing and Dynasty. Wow, 30 years. Do I feel old. Has it been that long since feathered hair and polyester bell-bottoms were considered vogue? Don’t answer that. TV reunions never get old for us TV-loving types. Check out the fun-a-paloozas that were the Happy Days reunion and The Brady Bunch reunion.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

If you’ve got a thing for men in uniform— well, who doesn’t really? — then, you’ll be happy to know that Neptune’s Sheriff Don Lamb will be sticking around to verbally spar with Veronica. Michael Muhney has been signed as a series regular for season three, according to his official Web site. "It feels great. They finally signed the adoption papers!" Muhney said. Can I get a woo hoo? As ticked as I was at his treatment of Weevil at graduation, I’m still a Lamb-loving gal. Season three of Veronica Mars is scheduled to begin on the new CW Network on Tuesday, September 19, at 9 p.m. EST.

Someone sound the alarm, Truck 62 will ride on for another season. FX has renewed Rescue Me for a fourth season, according to Zap2It. The show has increased its ratings by about 10 percent since last year, now drawing about 2.9 million viewers per week. Rescue Me has been a hot topic of conversation among TV fans and critics this summer, after a controversial sexual-assault scene between antihero Tommy and his ex-wife Janet.

Speaking of Tommy and Janet, did you see this week’s “payback” from Janet? I swear those two are the most dysfunctional couple on television. Or to semi quote my friend Bob, “It’s like watching an episode of Jerry Springer.”

In other Rescue Me news according to TV Guide, one major character will die, another will tie the knot, and a third will suffer a stroke. (I think it may be Johnny who has a stroke, after he finds out that Janet has been making booty calls with his brother again.) Kidding, folks. But, seriously, how much are you looking forward to that scene when it all comes out?

As for Tommy’s new “love interest,” Marisa Tomei is brilliant in the part. Can we keep her as a series regular? Watching her instruct Tommy on the intricacies of faux making-out was hysterical.

Finally, I may be totally outing myself here as an '80s aficionado, but did my eyes deceive me or was that pop star Taylor Dayne as the restaurant hostess/whistle blower? Yep, I’m suddenly yearning to hear Tell it to my Heart.

TV Guidecolumnist Michael Ausiello posted some scoop about the upcoming season of Las Vegas. It appears Danny and Delinda aren’t finished, and they’ll “spend much of this coming season’s second episode having sex.” No big surprise there. Could you really see Delinda trading in her Jimmy Choos to go off with her doctor boyfriend to third-world countries? Me either. Also during the same episode, Ausiello reports that the Montecito employees are required to attend a seminar on sexual harassment. This should be good. Apparently, Mary publicly goes after Danny during the session, for getting his honey where he gets his money... Hello, Pot this is the Kettle calling.

As for the new season, I hope the Las Vegas writers re-watch their previous shows during the summer hiatus. Then, hopefully, they’ll remember that they introduced the delicious Dean Cain as Sam’s one true love. The fact that she’s fine with him dating Mary makes me crazy. I want to see more Casey and Sam, and hopefully they’ll keep Woody in Boston. (On a personal note, I recently got the Lois & Clark DVDs which re-sparked my celebrity crush on Cain. So, I’ve decided to somehow work Cain into my column each week. This could be fun.) Consider yourself warned.

Bones casting newsDr. Brennan is getting a new boss this season, according to Michael Ausiello at TV Guide.Tamara Taylor, (who played Walt’s mother on Lost,) has snagged the role of the sexy new doctor. The fate of Brennan’s current boss, Dr. Goodman (the enjoyable Jonathan Adams) doesn’t look good, Ausiello said. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing much of (him) this season.”

South Park’s Scientology episodeThe controversial Scientology-Tom Cruise spoofing episode of South Park is scheduled to air on Comedy Central on July 19, according to Variety. The episode is titled “Trapped in the Closet” and was pulled from the May schedule earlier this year.

The O.C.’s final season?This is probably the final season for The O.C.,according to E!Online’s Kristin Veitch. She reported that her sources on set are anticipating the show to end this year. It was only renewed for 16 episodes, instead of 22 this season, and it’s up against ratings killers Grey’s Anatomy and CSI. I don’t know, I think killing Marissa could do wonders for the ratings. Am I alone here?

24 casting newsFormer Ally McBealstar Peter MacNicol, better known as The Biscuit, is joining the cast of 24 as a series regular. He’ll “play a high-ranking government official who becomes embroiled in Jack Bauer's latest day from hell,” according to TV Guide. MacNicol will continue his full-time role on CBS’ Numbers.

It appears Smallville’sChloe may finally be getting a love interest who doesn’t have heat vision. And it’s none other than Jimmy Olsen, the famous photographer in the Superman canon, according to TV Guide.

Aaron Ashmore has been cast as Olsen. He previously played the boyfriend (Troy Vandegraff,) of my other favorite snarky blonde, Veronica Mars. Smallville fans, remember that Chloe has mentioned Jimmy before, as it was implied in one episode that she had a fling with the photo-guy during her internship at The Daily Planet. Eagle-eyed viewers may notice a resemblance between Olsen and one of Clark’s former freak-of-the-week enemies, Eric Summers. Ashmore’s twin brother, Shawn, guest starred as Summers, who tried to zap Clark’s powers.

I couldn’t be happier that Chloe is finally getting a storyline of her own. She’s been crushing on Clark for too long (not that I blame her, the guy is smoking hot and he does have super powers.) Who knows, maybe Clark will realize that his Girl Friday is more than just a pal when someone else starts paying attention to her. Or maybe this will finally snuff out all hope for fans who keep waiting for a Clark/Chloe hookup. (Namely me.) For those of you who refuse to give up your Chlark-loving ways, and didn’t catch their fantastic kiss in the finale, check it out at You Tube. But do it quickly, as with all You Tube content, I don’t know how long it has before it gets pulled.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

I’m still picking my jaw off the floor after this morning’s shocking Emmy announcements (No Lost or Veronica Mars, are you kidding me?), so pardon me if I seem a little stunned. The new voting process did change things apparently, but I don’t think it’s for the better. Sorry, but I can’t get behind a system that nominated Kevin James (TheKing of Queens) for an Emmy but not Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars.) It’s madness people. Madness. Here’s the list of nominees. My comments are at the end of each category. Feel free to leave yours in the comments section, if you think they got it right or wrong.Outstanding Drama SeriesGrey's AnatomyHouseThe Sopranos24The West Wing

**Tough category, but Lost should have been here instead of The West Wing. I'm stunned at its omission. Yay for Grey's Anatomy and House, but Veronica Mars should have joined the group, too. My pick: Grey's Anatomy.

**Big woo-hoo for Denis Leary. Finally! But Martin Sheen? Come on. As much as I love President Bartlet, I didn't think he had enough screen time this year to warrant a nomination. My pick: Leary, all the way!

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesKyra Sedgwick, The CloserGeena Davis, Commander In ChiefMariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims UnitFrances Conroy, Six Feet UnderAllison Janney, The West Wing

**The fact that Kristen Bell and Lauren Graham aren't on this list confirms my suspicion that Emmy voters don't watch The WB or UPN. It's the only plausible explanation for this craziness. Their names should have been on the list instead of Allison Janney (although I love her) and Geena Davis. Bell not only deserves to be on the nominee list, but she should have taken home the gold for her work this year. My pick: The only one of these I watch is The West Wing, so I can't objectively choose.

**Once again, Smallville's Michael Rosenbaum is not among the nominees. It's wrong, people. His complex portrayal of Lex Luthor is so enigmatic it makes viewers empathize with Lex and dare I say it, root for him at times. Also, none of the Lost boys are on this list? At the very least, Josh Holloway or Terry O'Quinn deserved a nod. Shatner is my pick in this category. Love him.

**Regular readers you already know my thoughts on Chandler's amazing performance as bomb guy, in my "They Killed Kyle: Those Bastards" post. And as much as I enjoy Cusick's Desmond on Lost, I can't vote for him in good conscience when none of the other Lost boys even got noms. My pick: Chandler, of course.

**Yay for Scrubs and The Office! But My Name is Earl should have been there instead of Two and a Half Men. My pick: Scrubs, baby!

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy SeriesLarry David, Curb Your EnthusiasmKevin James, The King of QueensTony Shalhoub, MonkSteve Carell, The OfficeCharlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

**I'm so stunned I don't even know what to say about this. Zach Braff (Scrubs) should have been on this list along with Jason Lee (My Name is Earl.) My pick: Steve Carell or Tony Shalhoub.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesLisa Kudrow, The ComebackJane Kaczmarek, Malcolm in the MiddleJulia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old ChristineStockard Channing, Out of PracticeDebra Messing, Will & Grace

**Same familiar names here. Nothing new. I don't even have a pick, as I don't watch any of these shows.

**Did they not see Donald Faison (Scrubs) do that airband performance? He's been consistent all year and it's ridiculous he isn't on this list instead of Hayes. Shame on you Emmy voters. My pick: Pivs all the way.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Let’s fact it, summer has never been the best time for TV addicts such as myself. Oh sure, every few years a gem like Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, or Dancing With the Stars comes along, but most often it’s dead air when it comes to innovative new programming. I’m happy to report that the drought will soon be over, Tubers, thanks to the USA network and its clever new show Psych.

I watched the screener for the pilot episode last week, and for the first time in months, I’m excited about TV again. Psych debuts this Friday at 10 p.m. So, if you won’t be home on Friday, set your TiVo or VCR. If you don’t have cable, do whatever you have to do — up to and including bribing your neighbors to tape it for you — but do not miss this show. Here’s why I’m psyched about Psych.

Meet Shawn Spencer, a guy with such keen observation skills, he’s convinced the local police department he’s psychic. Shawn is an unemployed, directionless, young man with a true gift for observation and snark, thanks to his demanding cop father. Shawn uses his “psychic” gift to help the police department solve crimes in his own unique way. Watching him con the cop shop and convincing his reluctant best friend Gus (Dulé Hill) to go along with the façade is a thing of beauty. It’s as if Shawn has taken manipulation and charisma lessons from Ferris Bueller.

Psych isn’t a cookie-cutter detective show. It’s character based with its own unique style of unpredictability. I think this is the first time I’ve ever watched a detective show and not figured out who the killer/bad guy was. (Thank you USA!) With its fascinating characters, clever dialogue and humorous plot twists, Psych is the most fun you’ll have in front of the television this summer.

What makes the show truly a standout is its characters and casting. James Roday is likeable as the lead, and despite that his character is sometimes morally challenged, Roday plays him with enough charm to make us root for him anyway. Hill couldn’t be more endearing as the sidekick/cautiously devoted best friend with a weak stomach. But, don’t get the wrong idea. While they’re certainly handsome, Crockett and Tubbs they aren’t. No, this dynamic duo looks more like the Geek Squad than slick detectives, when they slide into their bright blue compact car for an assignment. But hey, that cute little car suits them. It’s young, hip and fun, just like these guys. Rounding out the enigmatic cast is Corbin Bernsen as Shawn’s disapproving, yet likeable, father. Bernsen steals every scene. His character is apparently secretly proud that his son is now working as a detective, although he vehemently condemns his tactics. I can’t wait to see more of their dysfunctional relationship and possibly more flashbacks of Bernsen with hair. (What can I say, I loved his Arnie Becker on L.A. Law.)

Even the show title gets a thumbs up. It’s based on the name that Shawn gives his new detective agency: psych. Anyone who grew up in the ‘80s is familiar with the term “psych” as another word for “gotcha.” (I used it frequently during my junior high years.) When Gus voices his concern that people will know that Shawn is hoodwinking them because of the name on the agency door, he counters that, “The best way to convince people you’re not lying to them is to tell them you are.” I love it. And so will you.

Whether you interpret Psych as “gotcha” or as a shortcut for psychic, there is no mystery here. USA can’t hide the truth. This is the best new show of the summer. And no, there is no “psych” after that statement.

For those of you who can’t wait for Friday or just want to join in the online fun, go to the official Web site. You can watch a video preview and interviews with the cast, ask “psychic” Shawn a question, read Gus’ blog and chat on the message boards. The network is airing behind-the-scenes footage, karaoke with Shawn and Gus, bloopers and webisodes at the site. I love it when networks make television interactive and don’t ignore their online audience/critics. Bravo!

First Rosie O’Donnell was reported to be guest starring in this season’s Nip/Tuckand now it appears a few more familiar faces will be hanging out with our favorite plastic surgeons. Larry Hagman, aka J.R. Ewing, will star as Burt Landau, the new owner of McNamara/Troy, according to some reliable sources. He supposedly wants to have surgery on his…well, I don’t want to spoil you, so let’s just say it is a part of the anatomy that J.R. Ewing was known for. Can you imagine J.R. and Christian Troy butting heads? I can hardly wait. Hagman isn’t the only big-name guest star on the Nip/Tucklineup this fall.

Kathleen Turner is also starring as a 50-year-old phone sex operator seeking surgery to repair her signature voice. (I always knew there was something seductively strange about her Dove chocolate commercials.) Also scheduled to guest star is Mario Lopez, best known as hunky AC Slater on Saved By The Bell, according to TV Guide. His character supposedly is “infuriatingly fit” and shares screen time with Christian at the gym. Slater and Dr. Troy working out at the same gym. Hmm...how do I get a subscription to that sweat shop?

If you’re in Smallville withdrawal as much as I am, then check out these photos of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor enjoying their summer vacations.

Apparently, Tom Welling’s grooming skills are on vacation, too. (Hey, I’m not judging. Even a razor needs some downtime, too.) These photos don’t completely take the sting out of not seeing new episodes of Smallville during the summer, but it helps. Welling (Clark Kent) recently took in a Boston Red Sox game and threw out the first pitch. And Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) was spotted jamming in a Vegas casino. Thanks to GMMR for the heads up on these photos.

Remember the days of Buffy, the spunky, vampire-slaying blonde and her tortured-soul boyfriend Angel? Remember Dawson and his Creek pals endlessly analyzing their teenage angst? Remember Felicity and her gang of co-eds firing off a “hey” as a conversation starter? Ahh, I remember it well, the golden days of television. These shows are why I will always love The WB. (Well, that and the fond memories of a smiling, tap-dancing Michigan J. Frog.) As a tribute to the greatness that was The WB, the network is going out in style, by re-airing the pilots of these great shows.

On September 17, the final night of broadcast for The WB, the network will show the first episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek, Felicityand Angel, according to Variety. The following night, the new network The CW, which combined The WB and UPN networks under one umbrella, will debut.

The walk down TV-memory lane begins at 5 p.m. EST and continues until 10 p.m. Set your TiVos, Tubers. Felicity kicks off the homage starting at 5 p.m., followed by Angel, Buffy and finally Dawson’s Creek.

Somewhere, Michigan J. Frog is tipping his top hat and dancing happily on his grave.